Lose weight and get stronger!
Am I crazy, or did kettlebells just sort of come out of nowhere? Like, obviously that isn’t true; kettlebells have been a thing since the 19th century. But all I know is that prior to the mid-to-late 2000s, they were strictly something you saw in the hands of a stereotypical circus strongman, and now they’re all over the place. It’s just a weird little cultural idiosyncrasy, I guess.
Confusing origins aside, though, kettlebells are a great tool to not only build muscle and strength like a circus strongman, but also to lose weight. The distinctive shape and weight profile of a kettlebell make it great for working out your body in a more well-rounded fashion compared to a regular dumbbell. One well-balanced kettlebell can give you more of a burn than an entire rack of random weights.
So what can you do with a kettlebell? Well, there are a few options, but the general formula is to utilize both of your hands in a squatting motion. For example, the goblet squat requires you to hold the bell in front of you with both hands, then bend your knees and push your butt out into a proper squat, doing your best to keep your back and neck straight. This works your back and arms primarily, though you can also mix it up with a sumo squat, which puts some extra work on your thighs and calves. You can also swing the kettlebell between your legs, transferring the momentum throughout your body as you bring it up to shoulder height. Just be careful not to bonk yourself.
